Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on an important diplomatic trip next week, with visits to Brunei and Singapore. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed the details of his itinerary.
From September 3 to 4, PM Modi will be in Brunei, marking the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation. This visit is significant as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei. The trip follows an invitation from Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who has extended a warm welcome to PM Modi.
During his time in Brunei, the Prime Minister will engage in discussions aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries. The visit underscores India’s commitment to deepening its relationships with its ASEAN partners, reflecting the strategic importance of Brunei in India’s foreign policy.
Following his visit to Brunei, PM Modi will travel to Singapore on September 4 and 5. This leg of the trip is at the invitation of Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
The visit to Singapore will build on recent interactions between the two nations, highlighted by the second India-Singapore Ministerial Dialogue held on August 26.
During this dialogue, key ministers from both countries discussed areas of cooperation including digital technologies, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity, and advanced manufacturing.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participated in the dialogue. Their discussions emphasised the importance of expanding and deepening the India-Singapore partnership, exploring contemporary avenues for collaboration.
The diplomatic engagements in Brunei and Singapore reflect India's broader strategy of enhancing its presence and influence in the ASEAN region. This aligns with India’s ‘Look East Policy’ and ‘Act East Policy’, which aim to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations.
Both Brunei and Singapore are key partners in this endeavour, and the upcoming visits are expected to further solidify the cooperation between India and these important regional players.
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